DEA and HPD team for pill roundup

Updated 12:52 pm, Friday, April 26, 2013

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Houston Police Department is collecting expired or unneeded prescription drugs at nine collection sites around the city as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The DEA notes that the service is free and anonymous, with the goal to prevent "accidental ingestion, diversion, misuse, and abuse" of the unwanted medications. Preventing pill theft is a factor as well for the DEA.

HPD and DEA officials add that they will not be collecting used intravenous solutions, injectables or syringes.

Flushing drugs into the sewer system can harm wildlife and the local environment.